Method of inspection by guided waves

Abstract

A method of non-destructively inspecting an adhesively bonded assembly of first, second, and third materials includes generating guided waves in the adhesively bonded assembly and establishing a dispersion curve plot in a first reference frame on the basis of receiving the guided waves. The method further includes comparing the dispersion curve plot with a plurality of reference dispersion curves established in the first reference frame, each of the reference dispersion curves being obtained by generating guided waves in a reference adhesively bonded assembly. Finally, the method includes estimating at least one of the thicknesses of the materials in the adhesively bonded assembly under inspection.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to the field of non-destructively inspecting assemblies of differing materials, and in particular to the field of non-destructively inspecting structural adhesive bonds that are configured to assemble differing materials together so as to enable mechanical forces to be taken up.[0002]By way of example, such structural adhesive bonds find an application in the field of aviation, where they enable differing materials, which may potentially present complex shapes, to be assembled together in secure and effective manner by means of a layer of adhesive material and without making the structure heavier nor significantly increasing manufacturing costs.STATE OF THE PRIOR ART[0003]At present there does not exist a tried and tested non-destructive inspection method that serves to guarantee the mechanical strength of an assembly of differing materials that are assembled together by adhesive bonding.[0004]Existing solutions for inspecting bondin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method to inspect adhesively bonded assemblies of different materials without causing any damage. This method is easy to perform, fast, and can be used in industrial environments.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, given firstly the great similarity, in particular in the field of aviation, between the mechanical characteristics of the adhesive material and of the materials being bonded together, such as organic matrix composites, and also given the characteristic thicknesses under consideration, such methods do not make it possible to comply in satisfactory manner with the effectiveness and reliability requirements for such inspections.

Furthermore, for an application in the field of aviation, e.g. inspecting adhesive bonding between materials constituting a blade, it is very difficult or even impossible to model such a part in satisfactory manner, and consequently to predict the behavior of ultrasound signals by computer, given the complexity of the shape of such a part, which generally presents a curved shape.

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